Page 71 of Burning Beauty

"But why do they take their wigs off when they're lip-syncing for their lives?" Ruiz was asking. He tipped a martini glass against his lips and drained it. His tanned limbs were sprawled carelessly across the lounger and he was wearing swim shorts with a pattern of pink flamingoes in sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt, also emblazoned with a flamingo. Obviously new clothes.

"I think it's to get the judges’ attention. Same as why they do those jumping splits," Cassandra explained in a slurred voice, clinging to her own martini glass.

Ruiz groaned and grabbed for his crotch. "You'd think they'd bust a nut when they hit the stage."

"They tuck," Maria interrupted dryly.

Both Cassandra and Ruiz turned to look at her for the first time since she arrived. "You're back!" Cassandra yelled, leaping up from her chair, nearly punching Maria in the face as she threw her arms around her. Vodka spilled over Maria's shirt and Cassandra tried valiantly to wipe it away with her hands. When that didn't work, she leaned forward and tried to suck the booze from Maria's shirt.

"Stop it," Maria laughed, putting her palm against Cassandra's forehead. She caught sight of the woman’s outfit and laughed harder. Cassandra was wearing a Mini Mouse sweatshirt that was surprisingly sexy on the Italian stunner, a pair of black leggings and black high heels with red bows. "How are you wearing high heels in sand?"

"A sickening amount of talent, darling," Cassandra explained, lifting one long leg to show off her mini mouse heels. She started to tip backwards as the other heel sank into the sand. Maria grabbed her arm and righted her.

"You're going to break your neck,darling," Maria countered sarcastically.

"Don't be such a prude,hermana."

Maria sighed and rolled her eyes at Ruiz. "What are you doing out here? I thought you were supposed to be working for Nic."

"I gave him the day off," Cassandra said with a wave of her hand. "I was bored and needed company."

"Okay, but when I left a day ago, you two hated each other," Maria pointed out. "What gives?"

Cassandra sank back onto her lounger with surprising grace considering how many drinks Maria suspected she'd had. "I needed a pickle, couldn't get the jar open and Ruiz helped. I decided to give him another chance and when he agreed to watch RuPaul with me, we became best friends." She glanced guiltily at Maria. "Second best friends."

Maria laughed out loud, unable to hold it in, in the face of so much ridiculousness. "Makes perfect sense, so long as I can have a drink too, and he never usurps my position as first best friend."

"Gotcha covered." Ruiz reached toward the basket next to him and pulled out a martini shaker and an extra glass. He poured the drink and passed it to Cassandra who passed it to Maria.

Maria accepted the glass and sank down onto the sand next to Cassandra. She leaned back, enjoying the feel of the soft white powder sifting through her fingers. It was cool against her skin. It was early December and the weather was cooling off in Miami, but still warm enough to sit outside comfortably. The beach was surprisingly pleasant, the breeze just cool enough to counter the heat of the sun beating down on them.

Maria sipped her cocktail, wincing as the strong taste of vodka touched her tongue. Then she relaxed into it and took a bigger swallow, savouring the feeling of warmth spreading through her chest. She leaned her head against Cassandra, who took the opportunity to pet her hair like a dog.

"This is nice," Maria murmured, and she meant it. Nic was rapidly becoming the love of her life, her other half, the man she never thought she deserved after the death of her fiancé. But it wasn't just him that held her here, it was his family, his home. Everything. They all accepted and completed Maria in a way she hadn't known since her mother died. She didn't know what the future held, but she hoped it was a whole lot more moments like this.

"Luke is probably going to kill Ruiz when he finds out I've befriended another man," Cassandra murmured, her voice surprisingly unconcerned considering she was talking about the imminent death of Maria's brother.

"Without a doubt," Maria agreed.

"Who's this Luke guy?" Ruiz sounded more alarmed than either woman.

"The really angry looking guy that follows Nic and Cassandra around. The one with the rose tattoo on his neck," Maria explained helpfully.

"That guy is fucking huge!" Ruiz exclaimed. "One of the other guys told me the blood drops coming from the rose on his neck signify all the people he's killed."

"No," Cassandra assured him. "There's only like three or four drops to his tattoo. He's killed way more people than that."

Maria hoped Cassandra was joking, but suspected the other woman was serious. Ruiz certainly thought she was. He leapt out of his chair, hurriedly putting his drink down on the table and backed toward the house.

"Should probably get back to work, lots to do." He turned on his heel and rushed off the beach leaving the two women. The bodyguard who was standing several feet away appeared not to be listening, though Maria was certain she saw his lip twitch at how fast Ruiz had gotten away from Cassandra.

"And that's how you clear the chairs so your number one bestie can sit down." Cassandra waved toward the other lounger. "Please sit and tell me all about your trip."

Maria grinned and stood up awkwardly still holding the martini glass. She brushed sand off her ass and then sank gratefully onto the chair. It was much easier on her freshly bruised posterior than the ground had been.

"Cheers," Cassandra said, holding up her glass.

"Cheers." Maria clinked glasses with the other woman.

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